Comic Book Collection News and Updates

Well, thus endth the first reality comic hero series. Will there be a second season? Ho hum, probably. At least it was better than some of the other reality crap (my opinion) that has been aired the last few years.

Though, not my first choice, Feedback takes all the marbles. I do believe he deserved it more than Fat Mama did. Feedback showed some real excitement about all the festivities this week. But, in my opinion, it was a little too over the top and seemed to lack sincerity. But then, Feedback isn't a professional actor. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt and believe he was sincere.

The stunt school test was mildly entertaining. It was apparent that Feedback had previous trampoline experience. Took me back to my days on the tramp. It was fun. The flying catapult stunt also looked extremely fun and exciting. I must admit though, when the special effects were computer generated in the background, it looked very low budget and amateurish. The Sci Fi channel could have done a better job.

Now that a new comic book series is in the works on Feedback, created by Stan Lee, will it sell? I doubt it. If I can find them though, I may purchase a few issues to add to my comic book collection. Who knows, maybe someday they will increase in value.

Now Feedback as the winner, gets to participate in a Sci Fi Saturday night movie special. Big whup! The Sci Fi channel does have some class programming, Stargate SG-1 being one of my favorites. But they have sure dropped the ball on their Saturday night movies. They have produced some real crap. They start off with some good ideas and filter in some known stars here and there. But the plot development and special effects are some real low class efforts and I would think would hurt an actor's professional resume. Again, my opinion.

I did like the fact that all the contests showed up for the final decision, which was held at the Universal Studios fun park. All in all, it looked as if all the contestants cared about each other and they all probably did have fun. How will their future lives be affected? Who knows, care to comment? Did this series help the overall promotion of the comic book industry? It may have brought some new readers to the genre, but I doubt it gave the industry a shot in the arm, like I am sure Stan Lee thought it might. I'll bet it does help bolster Stan's new business endeavors though. I may be all wrong about this whole series, but I would love to get your point of view.

Well guess I will head over to the Sci Fi site and see what others posted to the forum. Ta.

Dave

September 4, 2006 08:36 - Animal Superhero Dies!

Well, this article is somewhat off topic, but I thought it deserved mention. I have also had a strong interest in reptiles, amphibians and other exotic animals. I also enjoyed watching Steve Irwin's TV specials. So this came as kind of a shock to me when I ran across the article. If you know who Steve is, then this will also be informative to you:

" 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin dead

Steve Irwin, the TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung by a stingray in a marine accident off Australia's north coast. Media reports say Irwin was snorkeling at Batt Reef, a part of the Great Barrier Reef about 9 miles (about 15 kilometers) from the town of Port Douglas, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest, according to Cairns police sources.

Irwin was in the area to film pieces for a show called "Ocean's Deadliest" with Phillippe Cousteau, grandson of Jacques, Irwin's producer and friend John Stainton told CNN's "American Morning." But weather had prevented the crew from doing work for that program, said Stainton, so Irwin decided to do some softer features for a new children's TV show he was doing with his daughter, Bindi.

"He came over the top of a stingray that was buried in the sand, and the barb came up and hit him in the chest," said Stainton.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australia Zoo in Queensland." To read the rest of the article you can checkout Animal Superhero Dies!

Well, maybe a new comic book series would be in order that is themed around Steve Irwin's life and animal adventures. A comic book based on a real life hero? That would be a change!

Dave

September 6, 2006 08:35 - Girls are Comic Book Fanboys Too!

I had an email contact from one of my subscribers the other day. I had used the term "Fanboy" in one of my articles. She was a little set back by this. It used to be that the male gender was the dominant force in the comic book industry and the term "Fanboy" was coined by the industry. Not so anymore. Maybe the term needs to be re-phrased these days. Here is an article about the female movement in the comic world and some of the comics they enjoy:

"Comic Books for Girls
Women Generally Dislike Comic Books, but There Are Some They Don't

By Rudy Ascott

It's no wonder girls don't read comics books. The comic book store is teeming with unwashed, testosterone drenched males, who generally all turn their head at the first sign of a female in the store. Even if the girl is willing to brave the perils of the comic shop, they're treated to a large selection of huge boobed and often hostile female superheros.

But there are comics books out there that girls love, and most can be ordered off of the Internet or found in a regular books store, such as Barnes and Noble or Borders. At the very least, you can make your significant other go to the comic store and get them for you. Here's a list of my top five comics for girls, all available in trade paperback.

Sandman

Written by Neal Gaiman (author of American Gods), Sandman follows the tale of Morpheus, the king of dreams. Morpheus has been doing his thing for billions of years, when one day he has the realization that he must change his ways, or die. Not an easy thing when you've been alive for so long. Sandman has nothing to do with tights or super powers, and is one of those few comics that have earned literary acclaim. Start with Preludes and Nocturnes." To find out which other comic books girls like, cruise over to Comic Books for Girls.

If you happen to be of the female persuasion and enjoy comics as much as I do, by all means tell me some of your favorites. Later.

Dave

September 8, 2006 09:15 - Superhero Creators need Help too!

Not all comic book creators, writers and artists have the luxury of pulling in big bucks salaries like Stan Lee does. Many of the industry's workhorses could use a little help in their time of need. Next weekend will see a superhero creators' extravaganza in Chicago. Here is further amplification:

"COMIC BOOK FANS AND CREATORS JOIN AT 1ST ANNUAL HEROES HELPING LEGENDS
by CBR News Team, Editor
Posted: September 7, 2006

Official Press Release

CHICAGO, IL -- Question: Who does a Living Legend turn to when in need of help? Answer: The fans. Everyone knows that they are the lifeblood of any creative endeavor. The fans have always "got your back." The 1st Annual "Heroes Helping Legends" event allows Chicago's comic book fans to give back to creators that have already given them so much joy and entertainment. Many of the art form's earliest writers and artists find themselves unable to make ends meet in their retirement and often lack adequate resources to cover medical expenses.

Now it is the loyal readers' turn to play the hero by attending a two-day mini-convention, Saturday, September 16 th and Sunday, September 17 th , 2006 at the Mercury Café, 1505 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago. Fans will be able to hunt for literary treasure through a massive comic book sale, chat with local writers, get a unique sketch by local artists, and bid on range of one-of-a-kind art and collectibles all while enjoying the music of local bands. All proceeds benefit The Hero Initiative (www.HeroInitiative.org), formerly A.C.T.O.R. Comic Fund ( www.actorcomicfund.org ) - a national non-profit that provides financial assistance and a critical network of support to comic book industry veterans that have met with hard times." Click on over to Helping Comic Book Legends for more info and live links.

So, if you happen to be in the Chicago area next weekend, this may be a good way to spend a couple of afternoons. Go check it out.

Dave

September 11, 2006 06:40 - The Baltimore Comic-Con gets a Review.

Well, here is an up an coming annual comic book convention. It got good acclaim in Chuck Rosanski's newsletter from Mile High comics. He said he was going to attend this convention. Here is the review:

"Comics convention goes bookish
Thousands put video tie-ins, costumes aside, honor the page
By Gadi Dechter
sun reporter Originally published September 11, 2006

It was easy to distinguish the New York Yankees faithful from the comic book fans, both of whom descended in droves on the Inner Harbor this weekend. The baseball fans were the only ones in costume.

Unlike last month's Otakon convention, where nearly half of the attendees at the Baltimore Convention Center dressed like Japanese pop-culture icons, the seventh annual Baltimore Comic-Con gathering drew a more sedate crowd of comics aficionados.

The bookishness is by design, said organizer Marc Nathan, who criticized other regional conventions for focusing on appearances by "B-list, aging TV stars" to increase attendance, and said the Baltimore convention was an antidote to the mega-confabs of San Diego and Chicago, where film and video game tie-ins to comic book culture have overshadowed the books themselves.

Not that there was a total absence of B-list, aging TV stars: The Incredible Hulk television star Lou Ferrigno was one of the attractions, signing autographs at $20 a pop.

Preliminary box office receipts indicated that Comic-Com attendance would outpace last year's showing of more than 10,000 attendees, Nathan said. So, although there were no Pratt Street showdowns between Batman imposters and Derek Jeter wannabes, there was enough superhero worship inside the convention center yesterday to rival that at Camden Yards." And to finish the article, see Baltimore Comic Con!

Did anyone happen to attend this convention? If so, surh would like to hear about it. Thanks.

Dave

September 13, 2006 12:12 - Major Victory, Life after Superhero Reality Show!

Well, as my personal prediction for the winner of Sci Fi's "Who Wants to be a Superhero" didn't pan out, what is Major Victory up to now? Here is an article on MV's activities after the end of the show:

"SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
Superhero Slam
Former Boisean competes on reality show

BY JENNIFER GELBAND

Who wants to be a Superhero? Chris Watters does. On the reality TV show Who Wants to be a Superhero that concluded in August, Watters and his alter ego, Major Victory, vied for the title of America's newest superhero.

Watters is a former Boise State student, and for the first five episodes, it looked like he might win the whole shebang. Sadly, nothing could save him from evil elimination and Major Victory was done away with on the fifth episode. But the former Boise resident is still a hero to many.

The show, which aired on the SciFi Channel, was created by the legendary comic-book creator Stan Lee and the same masterminds behind stunning successes For Love or Money and Who Wants to Marry My Dad? The weekly one-hour competition reality series began with a handful of contestants, each with an original idea for a superhero, a self-made costume and their best superhero mojo. The show tested their mettle and their limitations, and dared each to prove that he or she possessed necessary superpowers such as courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion and resourcefulness.

The winner of the show got a unique prize--immortality with a comic book created by Lee about the character and an appearance in an original SciFi Channel movie.

"I always did want to be a superhero," Watters tells Boise Weekly between meeting with clients (in his real life, he's a disc jockey at the Hollywood nightclub Highlands) and doing more press for the show. "In fact, my sister and I used to dress up as Batman and Robin."

Watters, 38, and his family grew up in San Francisco. They later moved to a small town where dressing up as superheroes was no longer cool. Watters came to Boise, which is his mom's hometown and his sister Megan/Robin's current home, to attend Boise State." The rest of the article on Chris can be read at Major Victory, a real Superhero.

It is good that one of the show's most popular contestants is taking all in stride. And it sounds like he had great fun on the show. I hope further opportunities in the comic book world and with his daughter pan out for Chris. Who knows, maybe he will become a headliner DJ. Carry on Chris!

Dave

September 20, 2006 11:28 - Comic Book Actor Hates Comic Book Movies!

Anybody anxiously awaiting the sequel to Batman Begins? Heath Ledger, who was cast as the Joker in the sequel, apparently has his own strong feelings about comic book movies:

"HEATH Ledger has revealed he hates comic book movies - just weeks after signing up for the Batman Begins sequel.

The Brokeback Mountain star - who has a daughter with his actress fiancée Michelle Williams - has been cast as super-villain The Joker in the follow-up to the 2005 blockbuster, entitled The Dark Knight.

He is quoted by website darkhorizons.com as saying: "I actually hate comic book movies, like f***ing hate them. They bore me and they're just dumb." Ledger claims he only agreed to star in the sequel because he liked director Chris Nolan's work.

The actor explained: "I thought what Chris Nolan did with Batman Begins was actually really good, really well directed, and Christian Bale was really great in it."

Ledger insists his portrayal of The Joker was going to very different to Jack Nicholson's critically acclaimed interpretation in the original 1990 movie Batman.

He said: "My Joker is going to be less about his laugh and his pranks and more about just him being just a sinister guy." "

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and fortunately my opinion doesn't agree with Heath's. I generally like superhero movies. How about you?

Dave

September 23, 2006 08:30 - Comic Books are also Sources for Major Art Exhibits!

Many in this world consider comics books just for kids and for that matter, also monitor their kids' consumption of comic books. There are many of us that know better though. Comic books can be a very constructive part of a person's life. There is now a couple of book exhibits going on that display comic book art forms to the public in a very up beat way. Here is the story:

"Heroes and Villains Share Space at Major Comic-Book Exhibit

Landmark Survey Traces History of American Culture Through Comic Arts

Sept. 22, 2006 - Charlie Brown may never get to kick that football, but the beloved school kid is getting an even higher honor than a touchdown: He's now the subject of a museum exhibit.

The "Peanuts" gang joins Popeye and Captain America in a comic-book exhibit that is so large, it is housed in two East Coast museums, after a run in two California galleries.

"We're really elevating this medium to the level of fine art, which it actually should be," said curator Ali Gass of The Jewish Museum in Manhattan.

"When you look, you really see that these are phenomenal artists first and foremost."

"Masters of American Comics" traces the history of comics by highlighting the work of 14 of the most influential American comic artists.

Early comic strips, newspapers and drawings are on display at New Jersey's Newark Museum, with comic books and graphic novels from 1950 to the present at The Jewish Museum.

One of the most influential artists included, according to Gass, is Jack Kirby who drew Captain America, Silver Surfer, and The Fantastic Four.

Glass said Kirby was an "innovator in the creation of the superhero … and the ultimate power machine that can come in and fix all evil."

On the other end of the spectrum is the work of R. Crumb, the godfather of underground comics.

The exhibit includes Crumb's original sketches for "Fritz the Kat" and his famous "Keep on Truckin'" drawing.

"What you see in the show is not simply the stylistic development of comic strips and comic books, but you also really see the history of American culture playing out," Gass said.

The exhibit runs through the end of January at both locations.

ABC News' Zach Fannin contributed to this report"

So if you get the chance and are in the area, it may be very worthwhile to go check out these exhibits. If you do, come on back and express your opinion for us. Thanks.

Dave

September 25, 2006 07:37 - Small Town Comic Book Conventions!

Ever wanted to attend a comic book convention, but they were all just too far away? Me too. Maybe the ticket is to start a convention in your hometown yourself. This can sure be a massive undertaking though. One guy in Phoenix decided to just that, although I don't consider Phoenix a small town compared to where I live. Read on:

"East Valley Life Valley comic book convention grows from one man's determination By Albert Ching, Get Out September 21, 2006

Plenty of smaller cities than Phoenix - San Diego, Dallas, Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio - have giant comic book conventions that draw thousands each year. So why doesn't the Valley?

Matt Solberg wondered the same thing.

Instead of just thinking, he did something about it, and started the Phoenix Comicon soon after moving to the Valley in 2001, from Minnesota.

"I actually didn't know if there were any comic book conventions in town to go to, so I started looking around, and there hadn't been in seven years or so," says Solberg, 31, director of Phoenix Comicon and owner of Planet Neo, an anime, manga and comic book shop in Tempe.

The show started slow its first couple of years, and was held on the west side of town - which discouraged even myself, a staunch comic book fan who leaves the state at least twice a year for comic conventions." To finish the article, head on over to Phoenix Comic Book Convention.

I would love to get some of my local comic shops and enthusiasts involved in setting up a convention around here, but again, that can be a massive amount of work. I may have to drop a few hints though. If you have ever been a part of setting up a comic book convention, sure would love to hear about your experiences. Later.

Dave

September 27, 2006 08:38 - And for you Archie Comic Book Fans!

I haven't read an Archie comic book since my young days as a voracious comic book fan. Here is something that hits close to home though. The Salt Lake City library is just down the road from me about 45 minutes. Might be worth a trip down. Check out the article:

"Salt Lake Library to make its comic book debut
Story features venerable teen and friends taking tour of Utah landmark
By Heather May
The Salt Lake Tribune

Mimi Cruz of Night Flight Comics shows a sample of the Archie Comic book featuring the Salt Lake Library. (Rick Egan)

They've skated, surfed and snowboarded. They've gone preppie, punk and in drag. They've chilled at malt shops, school cafeterias and frat houses.

Next week, Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead - those timeless teens of comic-book fame - will visit one of Salt Lake City's hippest hangouts: the Main Library.

The showcase library, which draws 3 million visitors a year, will be featured in the Archie Comics due out Oct. 4.

In edition 570, Archie and the gang - the series debuted in 1941 - take a tour of the downtown landmark. The library's Urban Room is featured, along with the teen hangout Canteena and the shop Night Flight Comics.

Library Director Nancy Tessman is quoted and the library's anti-shh buttons are given play.

The writer of the six-page story, George Gladir said in a Monday interview from his Carlsbad, Calif., home that he chose the library after reading about it in USA Today.

"It intrigued me. It's tremendous. The design of the library, the facilities," said the 80-year-old, who has written some 40,000 pages of script in 47 years for Archie Comics. "Archie - they're always interested in promoting libraries and promoting reading."

Gladir sketched thumbnails for the story with help from Mimi Cruz, manager of Night Flight Comics. She knows Gladir from comic-book conventions and sent him dozens of photos of the building after getting clearance from Tessman.

Cruz is featured prominently in the story. Her character leads a tour of the library to help the teens find ways to improve their fictitious Riverdale branch. The fictional characters are awed by the actual library - its architecture, fun atmosphere and emphasis on all arts.

"We are thrilled beyond belief that we are featured in an Archie comic. We're just giddy with delight," Cruz said.

Night Flight has been featured in other comics before. For instance, Sin City included a "Mimi's Night Flight Motel and Cafe," she said.

Still, "This is kind of a historic event for Archie and the library and for us. It's a huge compliment. It's highlighting and promoting the library."

She hopes the edition will encourage readers nationwide to get more interested in their own libraries and that reticent Salt Lake City readers will be encouraged to read about a building in their backyard." The rest of the story can be found at Salt Lake City Comics.

Well, I guess Night Flight Comics may be a worthwhile trip. I can go down and see what an comic book shop looks like that is not too far away from me. Who knows, I may even be able to find another worthwhile comic book collecting contact.

Dave

September 29, 2006 08:07 - Webcomics, a Passing Fad or the Wave of the Future?

Webcomics have been around for a while now. But is there a real future for them? With the advancement of technology on the Internet, I think webcomics are just something us old farts will have to get used to. Here is an interesting article on the buy out and remake of a webcomics site and the potential future the owner has for it:

"Using Web as first draft for comic books
By Michel Marriott The New York Times

Published: September 25, 2006

NEW YORK For generations of readers, comic books were the first real page-turners. But their latter-day digital counterpart, called Webcomics, has been limited to a niche audience of comic book creators and their most ardent followers.

Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, the chairman of Platinum Studios, a privately held California entertainment company that develops and adapts comics for other media, wants to change that.

Platinum, a relative newcomer in an industry dominated by Marvel and DC Comics, took the first step last month when it bought DrunkDuck.com, a popular Webcomics site, for an undisclosed sum. It is opening a revamped site Monday as DrunkDuck 2.0.

Rosenberg plans to begin publishing Platinum's own comic books online before they go to press for traditional distribution through stores and newsstands.

"We're tearing down the wall" that has separated traditional printed comic books from those emerging online, he said. "We completely believe in this model."

What Rosenberg is calling the "quiet revolution," the digital impact on previously print-only content, reflects similar pressures on other traditional media. Comic books, which have appealed almost exclusively to children and young adult readers - more likely to be lured to electronic entertainment than their parents' generation - have been especially hard hit, with sales declining and press runs growing more costly.

But the comic-book industry has more than $500 million a year in revenue and still has many popular titles. And Rosenberg has shown that he can produce hits.

With his previous company, Malibu Comics, he published "The Men in Black" comic books and was credited with taking the title to Hollywood, where it became a billion-dollar movie franchise for Sony Pictures that twice starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones." To finish this article cruise on over to Webcomics!

Well, apparently there is a lot of communications technologies that can be used in conjunction with a site like Drunk Duck. I don't have a clue as to how to use most of it, downloads to cell phones and such. I don't even own a cell phone. Guess I would need some youngster to teach me how to use one, ha ha. Anyway enjoy.

Dave